Top 5 Kitchen Tools
Here are some of my favourite (and most recommended) tools and utensils to have in the kitchen. Whether you are just starting out, or you feel like you have every utensil under the sun, make sure you have these ones!
- Non-stick (Teflon) pan – These pans are super-versatile, and they come in a variety of sizes. When shopping, look for a solid base on the pan. You want the pan to be relatively heavy, but not so heavy you can’t lift it.
- Cookie sheets/baking trays – This is also a great multi-tasker in your kitchen: cook sheet-pan meals, roast vegetables, or bake cookies on them. You also want your baking trays to have some weight to them.
- A sharp paring knife – Many people like to have lots of fancy knives in their kitchen. While this works for some, you really only need one paring knife that is ALWAYS sharp, unless you are butchering large pieces of meat on a regular basis. For knives, quality is MUCH more important than quantity.
- Spatula/flipper – For some, the term flipper or spatula is interchangeable, for others, they are two different things. Whichever one you choose, silicon ones are best, which is best for higher temperatures.
- Stockpot – I find a stockpot to be incredibly useful for many different things, not only making stock. It’s good for making pasta, soups, stews, even perhaps a roast, depending on the size of the roast. When shopping for a stockpot, size is important. You don’t want one so big, you can’t store it, so look for one about 2-3 gallons (about 8-12 litres) in size. You also want your stockpot to have a heavy base.
The reason you want your cookware to be heavy is for even heat distribution. Your cookware will also retain the heat better if it is of heavier weight.